Zimbabwe - WMO

STATUS & PRIORITY NEEDS OF MONITORING &
PREDICTING CLIMATE ANOMALIES & EXTREMES
BY
JOYCE BANDA
16 16 16 16 April April April April 2013, 2013, 2013, 2013, (Pretoria (Pretoria (Pretoria (Pretoria SA) SA)
SA) SA)

Outline:
• Introduction
• Climate Data and Observation.
• Climate Monitoring.
• Specific Issues Related to Climate Monitoring and
Prediction in the Region.
• User Activities In support Of Climate Risk Management
& Early Warning Systems

Why Data Collection For Zimbabwe
One of the Meteorological Services Department’s (MSD) prime functions is the
measurement and collection of accurate weather records whose main
purpose is to contribute to the safety, security and general welfare of the
Zimbabwean community through performance of Meteorological functions.
It is also responsible for the collection and long-term custody of reliable
meteorological and climate data in fulfillment of the country’s and
international obligations.
> 70% of Zimbabwe’s population’s livelihood depends on agriculture and more
than 10 million people directly benefit from agriculture and sub sectors
related to it, Yet weather and climate are still the key factors in agricultural
productivity in Zimbabwe.
Need to increase the accuracy of the provision of weather forecasts, warnings,
information and advisories for the general public and most major sectors of
the society, including agriculture, aviation, tourism, environmental
management and natural disaster mitigation

Current Data collection Position
• 47 Manual Synoptic Stations manned by Met
Personnel
• 17 Part-time Manual Synoptic Stations
manned by Agriculture Extension Officers.
• ~300 Rainfall Stations (voluntary)
MSD Strategic Plan On Data collection
• To have installed 150 AWS by 2015
-currently at 17.
• To decentralize data capturing.
• To enter into sustainable partnerships.

-16.00
-17.00
-18.00
-19.00
-20.00
-21.00
-22.00
Victoria-Falls
Hwange
Binga
Lupane
Gokwe
Nkayi
Tsholotsho
Nyamandhlovu
Bulawayo
Bulawayo-Goetz
Matopos
Plumtree
Karoi
Chinhoyi Banket
Mutoko
Trelawney Henderson
Harare-Bvdre
Harare-Kutsaga
Harare-Apt
Marondera
KadomaMhondoro
Nyanga-Exp
Wedza
Rusape
Mukandi
Kwekwe
Chivhu
Gweru
Kezi
West-Nicholson
Thuli-Estate
Beitbridge
Makoholi
Zvishavane
Masvingo
Guruve
Mt-Darwin
Mvurwi
Buhera
Zaka
Middle-Sabi Chipinge
Chisumbanje
Buffalo
Chisengu
26.00 27.00 28.00 29.00 30.00 31.00 32.00 33.00

Sparse observation network that provides input to NWP models is a
cause for concern as it affects quality of forecasts.
Not an exact science-probabilistic
Exact timing of events not known
Understandability and interpretation of the forecast
If farmers do not understand the forecast (probabilistic terms),
they may ignore it or use it wrongly thereby making wrong
decisions. AN=floods?, BN= Drought?
Timely communication
-Forecast not useful if it comes when farmers have already planted
or purchased certain seed varieties.
Translation
-Some technical terms are difficult to put into local language

Credibility:
If previous forecasts were viewed as “wrong” , people will not believe
subsequent forecasts.
Communication Channels Used:
Certain media( print or electronic) not appropriate for certain communities ,
will not be able to reach many people.
Scale:
Farmers require a more localized seasonal climate forecast but current
advances in seasonal climate forecasts only provides generalized regional
climate information relevant to seasonal time scales and relatively large
areas.
Access to inputs( cost and/or availability)
Seed ,fertilizer, draught power etc
Farmers fail to take advantage of a favorable forecast.
Feedback
Was information provided useful and/or accurate?
Enables tailoring of product to suit needs of different users.

Early Early warning warning systems
systems
The existence of an early warning
mechanism involving the Meteorological
Services Department and the Civil
Protection organisation in Zimbabwe,
Ministry of Local Government, Rural and
Urban Development (Department of Civil
Protection) plays the coordinative role in
DRR activities.
Regional
Regional
◦ SADC-CSC

-Many Disaster Risk Reduction and
adaptation projects are currently being
driven by the Governments and local and
international NGOs, NGO’s and self-help
groups have started initiatives to reduce
vulnerability to drought.
-Rehabilitation, better land-use planning
and building regulation at the community
level
-Integration of DRR into the education
system of the country

National Civil Protection
Plan
Provincial Civil Protection
Plans
Sectoral /
District Civil Protection
Plans
institutional Plans Community plans

-Local (affected) communities have a much
bigger role to play. As a result, they are
involved in planning.
-They are the custodians of local coping
strategies (Indigenous Knowledge Systems)
that can be used as initial early warning and
response mechanisms.
-Vulnerable communities are being
capacitated in DRR activities

EXAMPLE OF WARNING THAT CAN BE ISSUED:
IMMEDIATELY GET OFF ELEVATED AREAS SUCH AS HILLS,
MOUNTAIN RIDGES OR PEAKS
NEVER LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND
NEVER USE A TREE FOR SHELTER
NEVER USE A CLIFF OR ROCKY OVERHANG FOR SHELTER
IMMEDIATELY GET OUT AND AWAY FROM PONDS, LAKES AND
OTHER BODIES OF WATER
STAY AWAY FROM OBJECTS THAT CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY
(BARBED WIRE FENCES, POWER LINES, WINDMILLS,
ETC.)